KEENE, N.H. – After trailing for over 74 minutes, the Keene State College men's soccer team was able to draw even thanks to a late goal from Nicholas Henao Vasquez in the 86th minute as the Owls picked up their first point in the Little East Conference standings from a 1-1 tie with the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

Records

• Keene State: 6-2-1 (0-2-1 LEC)
• UMass-Boston: 4-2-3 (1-0-1 LEC)

How it Happened


UMB was on the attack for a majority of the opening half of the first 45 minutes as they recorded eight shots before KSC was able to record one, to go with four corner kicks. UMB's opening goal of the contest came in the 12th minute following a corner kick that KSC was unable to clear, and it bounced around in the box and found John Arruda who capitalized on his positioning near the goal to put the Beacons up early in the contest. Owls' goalkeeper, Eldin Husanovic, bounced back on the next two shots that he faced as he stopped both shots that he saw over the Beacons' next offensive push shortly after. At the 28:03 minute mark, the Owls were finally able to record a shot, but the Beacons' goalkeeper, Nolan McKenna, saved the first shot he faced on the day, coming on Tommaso Brivio from KSC. Both goalkeepers traded a shot saved over the next six minutes, while in the closing minutes of the half, all three of the Owls' shot opportunities missed the target and UMB went into the half up 1-0.
 
UMB opened the second half just as they did in the first by applying the offensive pressure on the Owls. Over the opening 11 minutes of the second half, UMB got six shots off, with only one being on goal, that Husanovic saved, while another rang off the left post to limit the Beacons' lead to one. The first three shot attempts from KSC in the second half missed the target but their first opportunity of the second half came from Henao Vasquez, but for the second time in the game so far, McKenna made the save to prevent Henao Vasquez from drawing even for the moment. The remainder of the second half, the Owls continued to apply the offensive pressure to try to draw even as Henao Vasquez had another two shots, but they were both off target. Following a save by Husanovic for KSC with under eight minutes remaining, the Owls continued their offensive pursuit, and shortly after a pair of corner kicks, KSC was able to finally tie the contest up. With 4:05 remaining, Martin Lubunga sent a high arching cross the Beacons' box, where Henao Vasquez was able to head home the tying goal for the Owls. After KSC was denied from taking the lead just 1:13 later as McKenna made a save on Lubunga, UMB was on the attack and the Owls had to hold them off late. Husanovic held strong for KSC in the last two minutes as he made a pair of saves and the two teams tied 1-1 in the end.
 
Inside the Box

• KSC moves to 19-7-4 in the all-time series between the two teams with the draw.
• UMB had a narrow 20-16 shot advantage, with a 9-5 shot on goal lead, while both teams had five corner kicks apiece.
• Husanovic bounced back with seven saves in the draw, while McKenna finished with four saves.
• Henao Vasquez finished the game with seven shots, with three being on goal for the Owls as he scored his first goal of the season. Henao Vasquez became the 11th Owl on the season to tally a goal.
• After opening the season 0-2 in the conference, KSC improves to 0-2-1 in the LEC and picks up a point in the conference standings.

Up Next


Keene State hits the road for their next contest as they travel to take on Rivier University on Wednesday, October 1, at 7:00 PM.
UMass-Boston returns home for their next game as the Beacons will host Bridgewater State University on Monday, September 29, at 12:00 PM.